And he quoted Sir Alex Ferguson, by saying the Manchester United manager told him: "The manager MUST be the boss, you cannot have players undermime you."
And Fergie faces a power struggle with Anton Ferdinand ... suggesting the player could be up for sale in January.
Rio Ferdinand's decision to join the protest (t-shirts in support of the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign) brought strong criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson, who promised the player would be "dealt with" after the Manchester United manager had publicly criticised Jason Roberts' stated intention to snub the t-shirt and promised all of his players would wear them.
More fuel has been added to the fire because Mark Hughes insists he won't sanction Anton Ferdinand and other QPR players who did not wear t-shirts ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Everton.
Hughes: "It is a personal thing.
"My personal belief is that any campaign that focusing on taking racism out of sport and football is a good thing and we should try and support it.
"I think the point has been made that they want more to be done and I'm sure because of the strength of feeling people involved with these organisations will look at themselves and question themselves."
Everton manager David Moyes: "I did speak to the players and gave them the opportunity and it was up to them to decide what they wanted to do and how they felt.
"I told them how I felt and I understand their point of views and I'm totally supportive of my players if that is what they choose to do..."
"I don't think they are disappointed in the Kick It Out campaign, I think they are more disappointed in other authorities maybe in the way they have taken action."
PFA chairman and Kick It Out ambassador Clarke Carlisle: "Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to reaffirm his unwavering support of the Kick It Out campaign and that's fantastic.
"But this should not be seen as player versus club or dissension from a player against their employer.
"This is about a group of players and some wider issues that transcend that relationship.
"We would not want to see Rio Ferdinand punished. As I said of the handshake saga, you cannot coerce any man against his will and to do so would be the complete opposite of what the campaign is for.
"(Reading manager) Brian McDermott and (Newcastle manager) Alan Pardew said they had good conversations with their players to understand why (they did not wear the t-shirt) and they respect them in that.
"Sir Alex Ferguson pointed out in his own interview he did not know why Jason Roberts or any other player would not want to wear the t-shirt, so I hope that conversation takes place in the next couple of days."